New Togiak Refuge Public Use Management Plan Announced

Published: October 6, 2010

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Alaska Region announced today thedecision to implement a new Public Use Management Plan (PUMP) for TogiakNational Wildlife Refuge. The purpose of the new plan is to ensure thatmanagement of the refuge’s resources, including wilderness attributes,considers up-to-date information and changing public use of the Refuge.This is the first major revision of the refuge’s PUMP since 1991. Theissues addressed in this revision were identified through a review of the1991 Public Use Management Plan in conjunction with responses to planningupdates, public meetings, and the input of core planning team members. Thecore planning team included representatives of local tribes and the Stateof Alaska, along with Togiak Refuge staff. The team developed fivealternative approaches to revising the 1991 Plan. The alternatives weredesigned to meet Refuge goals, respond to identified issues, and encompassa range of options for addressing each issue.

The selected alternative continues many of the policies included in the1991 plan, with some significant changes. The State of Alaska does notagree with all components of the selected alternative. In most cases, thesechanges are not in the form of regulations, but rather indicate a decisionto craft regulations, all of which would be developed through a processallowing ample opportunities for public input. Significant changes to beimplemented in the selected alternative include the following:

To minimize the potential for wildlife disturbance as more people and aircraft access the area, regulations would be developed to require all visitors to Cape Peirce Wildlife Viewing Area to have permits. A commercial guide or Refuge staff would accompany groups of visitors during peak use periods. At low use levels the refuge manager would be able to waive the permit requirement.

The Kanektok and Goodnews rivers flow through the second largest wilderness area in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The opportunity for world-class fishing in a vast wilderness setting attracts anglers from around the world. Regulations would be developed to ensure a high quality wilderness experience is maintained. They would require permits for the use of Refuge lands along the Kanektok River and all forks of the Goodnews River. Permits for both the Kanektok and Goodnews rivers would be required only during peak use periods that coincide with the Chinook and coho salmon seasons. At low use levels the refuge manager would be able to waive the permit requirement for unguided float trips.

Unguided float use on Refuge lands along the Kanektok River watershed would be limited to one new group every other day, alternating with guided trips, which would continue to be limited to one new group every other day.

Unguided float use on refuge lands in the Goodnews River watershed would be limited to one group every other weekday (Tuesday and Thursday) and one on each weekend day. Guided float use on Refuge lands in the Goodnews River watershed will remain at one trip per week but commercial operators will have the option to float the North or Middle forks. In the past, guided trips were limited to the North Fork Goodnews River.

During fall 2010, the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge will be soliciting proposals to provide the guided float sport fishing services listed above for the North and Middle Forks of the Goodnews River as well as guided motorized sport fishing services for those rivers.

As noted above, specific regulations for those actions that call for suchare not included in this decision, and will be crafted through a processincluding ample opportunities for public meeting and comment. The intent ofthe PUMP is to protect refuge resources and to enable the Service toprovide memorable wilderness experiences to all members of the public whoenjoy recreation on the lands and waters of Togiak National WildlifeRefuge.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others toconserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats forthe continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader andtrusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientificexcellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicatedprofessionals and commitment to public service. For more information on ourwork and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.